Employee onboarding is a crucial time to introduce and engage with new employees appropriately. After a significant investment of time and resources during the hiring process, a triumphant welcome and training program ensures that new employees receive a foundation for success and are left with a positive impression.
That being said, here are a few simple yet effective ideas human resource managers can undertake to make an excellent first impression with each new employee:
#1 Greet them with a welcome kit
An employee’s onboarding/welcome package is designed to make company newbies feel like they are a part of the team and appreciated. As they say in SnackNation, a thoughtfully designed employee welcome kit helps set the tone for a positive workplace experience and better integrate new employees into the company culture. Moreover, it inspires them to praise company values and reinforce their excitement and engagement. A fantastic welcome kit simply says that you care, and consequently affects the new hires’ perception of the company.
#2 Send a welcome/introduction email
This is one of the easiest and fastest ways to welcome and introduce your new staff member. The new employee introduction email allows you to present your new hire and their career, what they will be doing, and what department they will be working. Never forget to welcome them and wish them a successful start.
To make the most out of this opportunity, ask the new employee to share some interesting facts about themselves and their life outside of work. This way, you will open up the door to their new coworkers in finding common ground with the new employee.
#3 Send all the paperwork and handbooks in advance
Why filling your employee’s welcome kit with all the standard HR paperwork, company policies, and employee handbooks? Instead, send them all the documents in advance and ask them to complete all the needed paperwork, review handbooks, and make a list of questions before their first day.
Once they are in the office, schedule a meeting to answer questions and clarify company policies and information. Importantly, highlight how employees can access relevant information in the future at their leisure.
#4 Set them up ‘check-ins’ with their manager
Set regular meetings or check-ins between new hires and their manager to help them settle in and address any concerns. One-on-one time with their immediate manager or supervisor is the essential part of onboarding for every employee since they will get the opportunity to be briefed about their primary responsibilities, job-specific tools, resources, and team structure and objectives.
#5 Make an unusual first day
Instead of doing a boring manager/team introduction in the conference room, consider having an out-of-the-ordinary event where everyone can get involved.
One idea is to book a lunch for the new hire, their manager, and the team they will be working with. That way, they can meet and talk with everyone in a casual environment. Another idea is to do a chilled group activity – If your company hosts social events, like a weekly happy hour, invite the new employee to attend it. Taking this additional step will make your new hire feel appreciated and included from their first day.
#6 Assign them an onboarding buddy
A new hiree can benefit tremendously with the proper support. One of the best ways to help them from day one is pairing them with an onboarding buddy. But where exactly can they help?
Onboarding buddies can assist new employers in three fundamental ways. First, they can provide context for the newbies, fully understanding their role or ways to contribute to their team. Furthermore, dedicated buddies can boost new employee’s productivity and satisfaction. Ultimately, assigning a workplace buddy ensures that your new employee has someone to talk to, which is very important in the first nerve-wracking weeks of a new job.
#7 Make the onboarding process continuous
To use the most out of the onboarding process, be strategic about it. Inform the new employees that welcoming them will be a long and full-of-learning process. In the new fast-changing work environment, every company needs to help its employees learn every day and develop high learnability and agility.
Having a continuous, training-filled onboarding will keep the new employees engaged and prepared for new challenges. Significantly, it will boost their productivity and help them reach their objectives faster.
#8 Debrief before they go home
A bad first day can ruin a new job for any employee. That is why at the end of their first day, you must sit down with your new staff member to find out how their first day went. Debriefing will make them realize that the company cares, but it is also a chance for your newbie to have some time with you to let you know how they feel.
Allowing them to revisit their day in your presence will make them go home with a smile and a good story to tell. Importantly, it will leave them with the impression and satisfaction about the professionality of their company.
Conclusion
Each new employee is unique, so having the ability to tailor an onboarding program for a specific employee can seem complex and time-consuming. Yet, making an effort to show that you care has the power to make a massive difference to someone new joining your company. To make it even more effective, send surveys and ask for feedback. This way, you will get the chance of receiving an invaluable guide for what your employees did or did not like. Remember, every long-lasting good work starts with a great first impression.
Author:
Hillary Smith
